American Football: King of the Bay Area

”Ow!”

Mark’s right hand never reached Julia’s shoulder. Before it could, Lu Ke had already intercepted, his hand shooting out to grab Mark’s wrist. A faint smile played on Lu Ke’s lips. ”Sir, let’s not be so quick to get physical. That’s basic gentleman’s etiquette.” As he spoke, he gently, *ever so gently*, bent the wrist backward.

Mark clearly hadn’t anticipated this turn of events, much less that Lu Ke’s grip would be so strong. The mocking taunt of ”gentleman” rang in his ears as a sharp, violent pain shot up from his wrist. Struck by this dual assault on his mind and body, a cry of pain escaped his lips before his brain could even process it.

Lu Ke then released his grip, his expression a perfect picture of innocence, as if to say, ’I wasn’t even trying.’ It was his way of showing ”friendliness.”

Mark caught the playful glint in Lu Ke’s eyes, and a wave of humiliation washed over him, leaving him flustered and panicked. It was only then that he felt the assessing gazes swarming in from all sides. He quickly bit down hard, forcefully swallowing the rest of his groans.

”You!” Mark hissed through clenched teeth, staring at Lu Ke in disbelief.

Black hair, Asian features, handsome brows, and bright eyes. He had the air of a bookworm who did nothing but study. He didn’t look the least bit threatening. ’But that grip just now… what was that all about?’

The thought flashed through his mind, but Mark didn’t have time to dwell on it before he blurted out, ”You’d better mind your own business!” He then looked past Lu Ke to the figure standing beside him. ”Julia, are you crazy? Even if you couldn’t find a date, you shouldn’t have just brought some random scrub. This is so embarrassing…”

But the rest of his words caught in his throat.

Because Lu Ke took a step forward, and his tall, powerful frame suddenly loomed over them. It was only then that Mark noticed he wasn’t the lanky, easily-toppled type at all. The oppressive force from his powerful physique was palpable, and every detail about him indicated that this was no ordinary person.

As the point guard for the school’s basketball team, Mark wasn’t particularly sturdy to begin with, and he was a good half-head shorter than Lu Ke. While Mark was a bit more built than average, the difference in their muscle mass and explosive power was obvious.

However, for an athlete, physical confrontation was never something to be afraid of. His earlier shock and bewilderment had stemmed from his initial misjudgment. After a brief moment of panic, Mark took the initiative and stepped forward, lifting his chin high and raising his voice, refusing to show weakness. ”What, you want to have a go at me? Ha, don’t you know I’m on the school basketball team? Taking down a pretty boy like you would be a piece of cake.”

”You giraffe, you definitely don’t want to go up against Mark,” Jenny now stepped forward, puffing out her chest and saying with pride, ”With one little twist, he’ll probably break your arms and legs. Julia would have to drag you home then.”

Lu Ke paid such a low-level, childish provocation no mind. ’They’re just high school kids.’ It felt like an adult arguing with children. If Lu Ke actually retaliated, he’d feel like he was bullying them. It would be a dishonorable victory, beneath his dignity.

Not only was Lu Ke not angry, but the corners of his mouth actually quirked up. However, he faked a serious face, furrowed his brow, and suddenly lunged forward one step. The advantage of his size and physique, combined with a sharp, fierce gaze, was like he was instantly back on the football field. He projected a powerful, intense, and sharp momentum that crashed into them.

Jenny’s words were cut short. She reflexively took half a step back, her footing messy and her center of gravity unstable. Mark was even more startled, subconsciously shrinking his shoulders and tucking his head toward his chest. His timid, fearful retreat was utterly pathetic and cowardly.

”Haha!” The crowd waiting in line behind them erupted in laughter. Jenny and Mark were completely mortified and at a loss, so ashamed they wished a hole would open up and swallow them.

But that was just a bluff. ’Bullying little kids, scaring little kids,’ Lu Ke felt a deep sense of guilt. Harming the innocent was not a good thing. ”Well then, we’ll be on our way. I don’t always have control over my strength, and if I’m not careful, things could get out of hand.”

Lu Ke was mocking Mark for being a pushover, but his words were a bit roundabout. In their panic, Mark and Jenny thought Lu Ke was scared and worried he couldn’t beat Mark, so he was choosing to back down.

Mark straightened his spine, puffed out his chest dramatically, and laughed awkwardly. ”Right, right! You’d better get out of here before we really get into it! Otherwise, uh… things will get out of hand!”

Mark’s retort had no bite to it at all; the guilt was written all over his face. Jenny nudged Mark with her shoulder, then stepped forward and shouted at Julia, ”Your taste is just… awful. To actually pick such a… such a nobody as a backup, and he’s nothing but a pretty vase that’s all looks and no use. Julia, how could you have sunk so low?”

Then, Jenny shook her head in disgust. ”What are these costumes? A witch and… Shakespeare? God, this is a disaster. If he put on a wig, could he be a lawyer? Wait, or is it a judge?” As she spoke, Jenny fell into self-doubt and turned to look at Mark. ”Is it lawyers, or judges? You know, the one that has to wear a wig every time they go to court?”

Watching the simultaneously confused and smug look on Jenny’s face, Julia’s lips began to twitch. It wasn’t from sadness or anger, but from pure amusement. The scene was just too funny. If she didn’t control herself, she was going to burst out laughing on the spot.

’A nobody? Lu Ke? A wig? A lawyer?’

’Tonight’s homecoming dance has already been worth the price of admission.’

Pressing her lips together, Julia looked up at Lu Ke. ”A nobody?”

Lu Ke shrugged. ”She’s telling the truth. I am indeed a nobody. At least, I don’t know their names, and they don’t know mine. There’s nothing wrong with that statement.” It was absurd how he twisted the meaning, making it hard to know whether to laugh or cry. ”Well then, fellow nobodies, we’ll be leaving. I hope you two become the King and Empress of the dance tonight. This kingdom ought to be quite interesting.”

’A kingdom of idiots. Worth the trip.’

”Wait, Julia, does your school prefer the basketball team, or the quarterback?” Lu Ke asked with a curious expression.

The others didn’t understand what he was getting at, thinking it was just a discussion about whether football or basketball was more popular. But Julia heard the subtext. She barely managed to suppress a smile, and just before she could burst out laughing, she said with a perfectly straight face, ”I’m not sure. Personally, I prefer the quarterback.”

Lu Ke turned back to Mark and nodded seriously. ”Well then, keep up the good work! You’ve got a strong competitor for King! You’ve got my vote!”

”You’d better, loser!” Mark shouted again, trying to sound tough, but… the effect wasn’t quite there.

Julia paid him no mind, instead linking her arm with Lu Ke’s and quickly turning to leave.

It wasn’t out of fear or anger, but because if they didn’t leave, she wouldn’t be able to hold in her laughter any longer. After they entered the venue, Julia finally let go, bursting into joyous, belly-aching laughter, clutching her stomach so hard it felt like she was carving out abs.

Lu Ke let out a helpless laugh and shook his head. ”Alright, little girl, fess up. What’s the story here? How did you end up with him? If Logan knew about this, he’d beat that kid black and blue and teach him what it means to not mess with a girl who’s way out of his league.”

”Haha.” Julia laughed merrily, then pretended to recall seriously. ”I don’t get it. Maybe it was just one of those dumb high school girl moments. I saw his eyes, and it was like… they had stars in them…”

As she spoke, she felt Lu Ke’s incredulous stare and couldn’t help but start laughing herself, her words becoming fragmented. ”I’m serious, his eyes…” This time, she couldn’t go on. Julia herself surrendered. ”Okay, okay, I give up.”

Lu Ke and Julia exchanged a look, and they both burst out laughing.

”Hey, you two!” A fierce shout came from behind. They followed the sound and saw an aggressive mob of… high school students. A dozen or so of them were clustered together, advancing with great momentum, like they were about to steamroll everything in their path. Everyone nearby silently began to give them a wide berth, clearing out an open space. It seemed like even the air was starting to congeal.

Standing at the very front was, of course, Mark.

”What are you looking at!” Mark lifted his chin high, his back straight, full of confidence now that he had backup. ”You’re a complete and utter nobody! A total idiot! What, you scared now? You were so arrogant just a minute ago, acting all high and mighty. What’s wrong now? ’Ooh, ooh, I’m so scared, I’m about to wet my pants…’”

Mark began to vividly imitate what he imagined Lu Ke’s fear looked like, but he was not a good actor.

The atmosphere was starting to get awkward. Lu Ke and Julia looked at each other, unable to suppress their amusement. When they recalled what Julia had just said—”they had stars in them”—and compared it to the current scene, the ironic humor was overwhelming. In a situation like this, it was incredibly difficult to keep from laughing.

It wasn’t just Lu Ke and Julia; even the other kids standing behind Mark could feel the thick, awkward atmosphere and could barely stand to watch. But Mark remained blissfully unaware, continuing his impression. ”Let me tell you, this is my turf! You’d better…”

”Lu Ke?” An astonished cry from behind cut Mark’s words short, leaving him with a breath stuck in his chest that he could neither swallow nor release. He froze on the spot, unsure of what to do or what had just happened.

Immediately after, a young man with an ecstatic expression emerged from the crowd. ”Lu Ke?” As he got closer, the young man confirmed his guess and then leaped into the air—a genuine, three-foot-high jump. ”Lu Ke! Guys, it’s Lu Ke! Oh my God! The quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, Lu Ke!”